News

Actions

Governor tells state agencies to comply with Amendment 3 ruling

Posted at 3:48 PM, Dec 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-25 00:07:52-05

SALT LAKE CITY -- An email from Governor Gary Herbert's office tells state cabinet members to comply with the recent federal court ruling that overturned Utah's Amendment 3.

In a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby on Friday, Utah's ban on same-sex marriage was overturned. Since then, hundreds of same-sex couples have wed in Utah.

At a hearing Monday morning in U.S. District Court, Judge Robert Shelby denied a motion to stay the marriages, pending an appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Read the message from Herbert's office below:

Dear Cabinet,

Thanks to each of you for providing an analysis of the impacts to the
operations in your respective agencies based on the recent federal
district court ruling on same sex marriage. As indicated in your
responses, many agencies will experience minimal or no impact.

For those agencies that now face conflicting laws either in statute or
administrative rule, you should consult with the Assistant Attorney
Generals assigned to your agency on the best course to resolve those
conflicts. You should also advise your analyst in GOMB of the plans
for addressing the conflicting laws.

Where no conflicting laws exist you should conduct business in
compliance with the federal judge's ruling until such time that the current
district court decision is addressed by the 10th Circuit Court.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Derek B. Miller
Chief of Staff
Governor's Office
State of Utah